Is v = ½at² a correct velocity formula?
GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer
No, this is incorrect!
The correct formula is:
v = at (when starting from rest)
or the general case:
v = u + at
The formula s = ½at² gives displacement, not velocity.
Common confusion:
- s = ½at² → displacement formula (distance traveled)
- v = at → velocity formula (when u = 0)
- The ½ factor appears in displacement because velocity increases linearly with time
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